Conveyor packing station

Abstract

A station for inclusion in roller systems which permits cartons to be packed adjacent a primary roller conveyor and introduced onto the conveyor central region when filled. The packing station includes a carton packing conveyor movable under power driven rollers actuated when the conveyor is translated toward the primary conveyor. Simultaneously with translation of the packing conveyor transfer conveyor means are elevated between the rollers of the primary conveyor receiving the carton from the packing conveyor assuring that the carton will be substantially centered on the primary conveyor whereupon the power operated transfer conveyor lowers the carton onto the primary conveyor.

I claim: 
     
       1. A conveyor packing station for use with a primary conveyor having a longitudinal length defined by lateral side rails and a plurality of transversely disposed, spaced, parallel rollers defining a primary conveyor plane, comprising, in combination, a packing station frame disposed adjacent a primary conveyor side rail, a packing conveyor movably mounted on said packing station frame above said primary conveyor plane for movement between an extended position positioning an end of said packing conveyor adjacent and over the primary conveyor and plane thereof and a retracted position away from the primary conveyor, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted upon said packing conveyor defining a support surface for an article to be packed, said rollers being substantially parallel to the length of the primary conveyor, motor means mounted on said packing station frame operatively connected to said packing conveyor for moving said packing conveyor between said extended and retracted positions, a transfer conveyor disposed below the primary conveyor in alignment with the direction of movement of said packing conveyor, said transfer conveyor including a base vertically movable between raised and lowered positions, a plurality of article supporting elements mounted on said base extending upwardly and located between the rollers of the primary conveyor, said elements including an upper article supporting portion which is located above and below the primary conveyor rollers at said raised and lowered positions of said transfer conveyor, respectively, said packing conveyor at said extended position being disposed adjacent said transfer conveyor at said raised position thereof, and second motor means operatively connected to said base for selectively translating said base between its raised and lowered positions, and third motor means mounted on said packing conveyor drivingly connected to at least some of said rollers thereof to move an article supported thereon toward the primary conveyor upon energizing of said third motor means.